Nonnie
new member
Hello friends,
I have been "lurker" since the end of may. My right knee total knee replacement was May 5, 2008. I am just a couple months from being 57 years old, and weigh some 30 pounds more than I should.
Some of the messages on this forum were very helpful to me, and for that, I wish to thank you all.
There are some things that I wish I'd known before surgery. Both the doctor and the hospital game me a stupid little book that made it sound like I would be up and around in just a few weeks, and carefree within a month or so. If I had the author of that book nearby, I'd slap him or her silly!
What I want people who are getting ready for surgery to know is:
1. You will be happy you had the surgery, but my guess is won't be until about week 7. That is when I thought the whole thing was actually a good idea.
2. No matter what the book says, you won't be ready to go back to work at week 4 or 5 (though I know some folks must). You will probably still be wanting to nap in the afternoon.
3. Your "new" knee will weigh a skillion pounds more than your old one (metal weighs more than bone), which means it will tug and pull on your healing muscles when you try to sleep. It will also bang into your other leg if you aren't careful. I had a big bruise near my left knee one morning, and the only thing I could think of was that it had been assaulted by my new knee! So, buy yourself a pillow, but not one so fat that it throws your hip joint out of place.
4. Don't be surprised if you cry at the drop of a hat for 2 or 3 weeks after surgery. There is such a thing as post-surgical depression. In addition, you had just had a large assault on your body, and are suddenly finding yourself dependent on others in ways you never dreamed you would be.
5. Don't indulge in unrealistic expectations. While I have never had the range of motion (ROM) problems others on this site describe, I became furious with myself over lack of stamina, and several times pushed my poor body beyond what it should have been asked to do. Finally, my PT guy said, "for crying out loud, give yourself a break! Someone just sawed into your leg bones and you are complaining because you can't do the whole grocery store routine without hurting!" (This was maybe week 5 or 6...)
As well, don't expect your knee to stop swelling at week 3. This is not gall bladder surgery. I have a friend who is 14 months out from surgery and he still finds his ice pack more attractive than his beautiful wife.
6. Lose weight if you can. You will probably lose when you come home from the hospital, if my experience is common. I simply didn't want to eat for the first couple of weeks, and had to work to find something palatable. However, I need to shed more pounds, and it is still work.
Well, I hope this is useful to someone. Thanks again for being there when I needed reassurance.
Nonnie
I have been "lurker" since the end of may. My right knee total knee replacement was May 5, 2008. I am just a couple months from being 57 years old, and weigh some 30 pounds more than I should.
Some of the messages on this forum were very helpful to me, and for that, I wish to thank you all.
There are some things that I wish I'd known before surgery. Both the doctor and the hospital game me a stupid little book that made it sound like I would be up and around in just a few weeks, and carefree within a month or so. If I had the author of that book nearby, I'd slap him or her silly!
What I want people who are getting ready for surgery to know is:
1. You will be happy you had the surgery, but my guess is won't be until about week 7. That is when I thought the whole thing was actually a good idea.
2. No matter what the book says, you won't be ready to go back to work at week 4 or 5 (though I know some folks must). You will probably still be wanting to nap in the afternoon.
3. Your "new" knee will weigh a skillion pounds more than your old one (metal weighs more than bone), which means it will tug and pull on your healing muscles when you try to sleep. It will also bang into your other leg if you aren't careful. I had a big bruise near my left knee one morning, and the only thing I could think of was that it had been assaulted by my new knee! So, buy yourself a pillow, but not one so fat that it throws your hip joint out of place.
4. Don't be surprised if you cry at the drop of a hat for 2 or 3 weeks after surgery. There is such a thing as post-surgical depression. In addition, you had just had a large assault on your body, and are suddenly finding yourself dependent on others in ways you never dreamed you would be.
5. Don't indulge in unrealistic expectations. While I have never had the range of motion (ROM) problems others on this site describe, I became furious with myself over lack of stamina, and several times pushed my poor body beyond what it should have been asked to do. Finally, my PT guy said, "for crying out loud, give yourself a break! Someone just sawed into your leg bones and you are complaining because you can't do the whole grocery store routine without hurting!" (This was maybe week 5 or 6...)
As well, don't expect your knee to stop swelling at week 3. This is not gall bladder surgery. I have a friend who is 14 months out from surgery and he still finds his ice pack more attractive than his beautiful wife.
6. Lose weight if you can. You will probably lose when you come home from the hospital, if my experience is common. I simply didn't want to eat for the first couple of weeks, and had to work to find something palatable. However, I need to shed more pounds, and it is still work.
Well, I hope this is useful to someone. Thanks again for being there when I needed reassurance.
Nonnie
United States
